Floor It!

Whether you’re looking to update your foyer or kitchen, or are building a new bathroom from the ground up, tiling still reigns supreme. But before you start laying the grout, you should consider a few things first.

Neutral colours are always in. For instance, consider a shade of white, beige, taupe or grey. The best thing about a neutral-coloured tile is that you won’t easily grow tired of it.

After establishing a colour, you can then begin thinking about the print or pattern. Unpolished stone looks great in the foyer and adds a rustic element to your home. Meanwhile textured finishes and wood-grain patterns are popular and perfect for the bathroom because they typically have non-slip surfaces. Wood-grain patterns are also great if you prefer an earthy, natural look and feel in your home. Not to mention they add a certain organic, serene and spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom.

Looking to really indulge? Consider underfloor heating to warm you up after you step out of the shower. Though you may not be able to take a daily trip to the spa, you can bring the experience home by giving your bathroom the spa treatment with a brand new remodel.

When considering print and pattern in the kitchen, ceramic works best because it is easy to clean and is a durable material.

Sometimes a neutral colour can look too sterile in the home. So to liven up your home and make it look and feel more cozy, consider adding a pop of colour. Pantone Color Institute — the leader in colour trends — named Tangerine Tango the colour of year. The bright orange shade works great in small doses. Whether it’s the colour of the stand mixer in your kitchen, a throw pillow or blanket on your living room couch, or as a shower curtain in the bathroom, the bright orange will be sure to energize your surroundings.

Because home decor trends are forever changing, your best bet is to stick with a neutral colour and incorporate accent pieces by the season. Switching it up will freshen up any space and keep it lively. But if you’re particularly drawn to Tangerine Tango or another colour, don’t be afraid to commit to it either. By using different shades of one colour, you can create an interesting gradient mosaic pattern to cover the shower walls or to create a great focal wall in your foyer or living room. Or you can use your favourite colour in thin, border tiles to accent the neutral-coloured tiles.

Whether you have an idea of what you want your room to look like, or are still trying to gather ideas, you can head over to a tile showroom to experience the look and feel of the different tiles.